Socorro Giant Manta Student Project & Trip

June 25-July 5, 2019

SOCORRO - You can see mantas in many places around the world. But nowhere else boasts a population of giant mantas that literally seek out interaction with divers and snorkellers. The behaviour these giant mantas exhibit is almost inexplicable. These gentle giants with a wingspan up to 20 feet consistently approach divers for intimate eye-to-eye encounters. If you are able to be calm and still in the water, you are almost sure to experience what we call “manta love.” While mantas are the reason to voyage out to Socorro, there are lots of other animals to see, including schooling hammerheads and silky sharks, plus 8 other species of sharks, bottlenose dolphins that consistently hang out with divers at certain dive sites, large schools of pelagic fish, and, in season, humpback whales.

Here is a fun video from our 2016 excursion made by Alex Piper

THE PROJECT: Students will be developing and collecting data via underbelly photographs and measurements for a new cutting edge cloud based database of giant mantas that we are developing using facial recognition software to allow researchers to learn more about these unknown pelagic animals.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Students must have completed a previous Blue Endeavors trip & project to be eligible. Additional training in Monterey may be required based on experience level. Former students no longer in high school are still able to come. Priority will be given to students, however, if any parents are interested we are starting a wait list, and if there is space after all interested students are booked, parents and family will be able to sign-up in order of expressed interest.

PREREQUISITE CERTIFICATIONS: Divers must be certified in both Nitrox and Deep Diving, and comfortable shooting an SMB. Divers will have an opportunity to take these specialties and practice skills in Monterey before the expedition.

FINANCIAL AID: A friend to Blue Endeavors, Mike Lever, has donated some funds for students that have a financial need. Please email vince at vince@blue-endeavors.org if you would like to participate, have a financial need or would like to help additional students participate on the trip.

STAFF & CHAPERONES: Similar to previous trips, in addition to the dive staff on the Nautilus, we will have Blue Endeavors instructors leading the dive operations, and a student chaperone, Bruce Hamren from The Athenian School.

June 25th: Board the Nautilus Belle Amie, and journey to Socorro. (No cell access on this trip. There is the possibility of poor internet service for $100 extra, but it often does not work. The ship has satellite phones to make and receive important calls.

June 26- July 4th: Dive with giant mantas, dolphins, and other pelagic animals.

July 5th: Arrive back in Cabo at 9:00am. Fly back to SFO.

THE DEPOSIT: We have very limited space on this trip. To secure your spot please use one of the links below. Since we are close to the travel day, the trips at this time need to be paid in full.

Non-medical or travel insurance covered deposits are refundable for any reason once the full value of all the spaces on the trip have been purchased by another diver.

PRICE / WHAT IS INCLUDED:

Divemaster lead dives in Socorro

Accommodations - 2 divers per stateroom

All meals (Not including alcohol for 21+)

Airfare

1 checked bag

Airline transfers

Dive medical insurance

All taxes and port fees

Nautilus gratuity

Dive gear rental including lifelines and SMBs (Please let us know what dive gear you require so we can make sure it is waiting on the ship for you)